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How to go incognito in Safari on Mac

There may be times when you want complete privacy while browsing the web. Maybe you don’t want others to know which websites you visit or what items you download, or you may also just want to prevent sites from tracking you across browser tabs. The best way to achieve that is by learning how to go incognito in Safari on a Mac.

How to go incognito on Mac with private browsing in Safari

What happens when you use private browsing, how to exit private browsing in safari, how to always use private browsing in safari, what you need.

Mac computer

Safari browser

When you want to initiate a private browsing session in Safari on Mac, you have a few easy ways to do it.

• Use the Safari menu: With Safari open and active, select File from the menu bar and choose New Private Window .
• Use the Safari icon in the Dock: If you keep the Safari icon in your Dock, right-click it and select New Private Window .
• Use a keyboard shortcut: With Safari open and active, press Shift + Command + N on your keyboard.

Once you open a new private window, you’ll notice the appearance is slightly different. The Smart Search field (URL bar) has a dark background with white text.

You’ll also see a message letting you know that private browsing is enabled. Select the X on the right side to dismiss the message and then visit the websites you want.

Although you can browse the web as you normally would in Safari, there are some differences when you use private browsing.

• Any sites you visit, AutoFill details you use, or changes you make to cookies or website data are not saved.
• Your recent searches are unavailable in the Smart Search field.
• Items you download do not display in the Safari downloads list. However, they are still viewable in your Downloads folder.
• You cannot pass private windows using Handoff to your other devices.
• Any webpages you visit are not stored in iCloud and therefore unavailable when viewing Safari tabs on your other devices.
• Websites cannot track your browsing across tabs in Safari because each private browsing tab is isolated from the next.

When you finish using private browsing, you can simply close the Safari window. You can then select File > New Window or use the keyboard shortcut Command + N to initiate a non-private browsing session.

One additional way to go incognito on Mac is to always use private browsing in Safari. With a simple setting adjustment, you can have Safari open in a private window every single time.

Step 1: Open Safari and select Safari > Preferences from the menu bar.

Step 2: Go to the General tab.

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Step 3: Pick the drop-down next to Safari opens with and choose A new private window .

Step 4: Close the Preferences using the X on the top left corner.

Once you change this setting, you’ll use private browsing each time you open Safari. If you change your mind later, you can follow the same steps and select a different option in the Safari opens with drop-down list.

It’s easy to go incognito on a Mac, whether you go once in a while or all the time. Will you?

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How to Go Incognito in Safari on iPhone, iPad & Mac

How to Go Incognito in Safari on iPhone

3. Tap Done or the “+” button to open a new private tab in Safari. 

How to Exit Incognito Mode in Safari on iPhone

2. Tap [numbers] Tab to exit private browsing mode in Safari on iPhone.

How to Go Incognito in Safari on iPad

3. You will know that you’re browsing privately in Safari as the address bar will turn dark or black, and the buttons also turn black (instead of blue).

How to Exit Incognito Mode in Safari on iPad

How to Go Incognito in Safari on Mac

1. Open Safari and click on File in the menu bar at the top.

How to Make Incognito the Default Mode in Safari

If you are a privacy-concious user, you can choose to always start Safari in incognito mode for private browsing. When you do this, Safari is going to open a private window by default on your Mac. Here’s what you need to do:

How to Exit Private Browsing in Safari on Mac

Frequently Asked Questions

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Privacy Protection: Ensuring the privacy of our online activities is of utmost importance. Opting for Utopia P2P web proxy as a private browsing solution is the best decision due to its advanced features and decentralized network, which provide comprehensive privacy protection.

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How-To Geek

4 ways to open a private safari tab on iphone and ipad.

Hide your activity quickly and easily!

Quick Links

Use the drop-down on safari's toolbar, use the pages button on safari's toolbar, use 3d touch or haptic touch, say a siri command.

Private Browsing mode in Safari lets you view sites without adding anything to your history on your iPhone and iPad. Here are four different ways to open a private tab in Safari when you need it.

When you use a private tab, Safari doesn't store your browsing history, AutoFill your information, suggest recent searches, or save cookies once you close the tab.

With  iOS 15 and iPadOS 15  arrived several changes, including how you can use private browsing mode in Safari . That said, there are easier and lesser-known ways to quickly open a private tab in Safari on your iPhone or iPad.

Related: How Private Browsing Works, and Why It Doesn't Offer Complete Privacy

To get started, open Safari on your iPhone or iPad. On the iPhone, tap the "Pages" button (cascading squares icon) in the bottom-right corner.

You'll see a windows or webpages management screen with the grid of thumbnails representing the open tabs. The toolbar at the bottom will show the "Tab Groups" option with a drop-down button next to it. Tap the drop-down button.

Select the "Private" option from the menu that pops up to switch to the private browsing mode.

Select the "+" icon in the bottom-left to open a new private tab. Or tap "Done" in the bottom-left corner if you're opening a private tab for the first time.

On the iPad, you'll need to tap the "Sidebar" option on the upper-left corner.

When the sidebar panel slides open, choose the "Private" option to turn on the private browsing mode and open a new private tab.

Related: How to Always Start Any Browser in Private Browsing Mode

A quick way to open a private tab in Safari is to use the "Pages" button on the bottom toolbar on your iPhone.

Fire up Safari. Long-press or hard-press the "Pages" button (cascading squares icon).

Select the "New Private Tab" option with a hand icon next to it from the menu that pops up.

You'll need to follow the same method on the iPad by tapping the "Pages" button (four squares) in the top-right corner and then select "New Private Tab."

Related: How to Open Chrome's Incognito Mode with a Keyboard Shortcut

You can open a private tab directly from the Safari app icon using the hard-press or long-press gesture powered by  3D Touch or Haptic Touch feature. The 3D Touch is available only on the older (pre-iPhone 11) modes.

Long-press or hard-press the Safari app icon on the homescreen.

Select "New Private Tab" from the menu that pops up.

Follow the same on the iPad.

The iPhone models from iPhone 6s to iPhone X (including XS) support 3D Touch. All iPhone models from iPhone XR and higher support Haptic Touch.

Another neat method to launch a private tab in Safari is to use Siri commands on your iPhone and iPad. This method works if you have the "Listen For 'Hey Siri'" option enabled from the Settings app.

While your iPhone or iPad is unlocked, say "Hey Siri" and ask it to open a private Safari tab. Here's an example of what you can ask Siri:

• Open a private tab in Safari

That's it! Have fun opening the private tab quickly in Safari on iPhone and iPad.

Related: How to Set Up and Use "Hey Siri" on iPhone and iPad

How to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer in Safari

• You can turn on private browsing on your Mac computer in a Safari browser to use the internet without having your activity catalogued by your browser. 
• Private browsing is a good option to keep sensitive information from living in your web history or being saved to your iCloud account. 
• Here's how to turn on private browsing on a Mac computer by opening a new private window or using a keyboard shortcut. 
• Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories .

A private browser is a useful way to navigate the internet with minimal tracking, although the exact functions may vary slightly depending on which browser you are using. 

On Safari, private browsing means that websites won't be able to track your activity across sites, your visited websites aren't saved or stored on in iCloud, and your recent searches won't appear in the Smart Search field. 

You also won't have access to any saved AutoFill information when you visit websites, so keep that in mind if you need to log into a site.

With that in mind, here's how to open a private window on a Mac using the Safari web browser: 

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Macbook pro (from $1,299.99 at best buy), how to turn on private browsing on a mac in safari.

1. Open your Safari browser.

2. In the top toolbar, click "File."

3. Select "New Private Window."

The smart search field will show up with a dark background, which will signal that you are in private browsing mode. 

Alternatively, you could use the keyboard shortcut to open a private window in your Safari browser. To do that, you'd open a window in the browser, then press the shift, command and "N" keys.

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How to Go Incognito in Safari on iPhone: A Step-by-Step Guide

Going incognito in Safari on your iPhone is a piece of cake! All you have to do is open Safari, tap on the tabs button, then tap on “Private” to switch to incognito mode. This hides your browsing history from others who might use your device. Now, let’s dive into the details.

Step by Step Tutorial: How to Go Incognito in Safari on iPhone

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s clarify what going incognito means. It means your browsing history won’t be saved, and the websites you visit won’t be able to track you as easily. Handy, right? Let’s get started.

Step 1: Open Safari

Open the Safari app on your iPhone. This is usually found on your home screen.

Once you’ve opened Safari, you should see your current tabs or your homepage, depending on how you left the app last.

Step 2: Tap the Tabs Button

Look at the bottom right corner and tap the tabs button. It looks like two overlapping squares.

This will show you all your open tabs, so you can easily switch between them or close ones you don’t need anymore.

Step 3: Tap “Private”

Now, you’ll see “Private” at the bottom left corner. Tap it to switch to incognito mode.

When you’re in Private mode, the browser interface should turn dark, signaling that your browsing is now private.

After you’ve completed these steps, your Safari browser will be in incognito mode. This means your browsing activity won’t be saved to your history, and cookies (those little data trackers) won’t be stored after you’re done. Pretty cool, right?

Tips: Enhancing Your Incognito Experience in Safari on iPhone

• Always make sure you close all incognito tabs before lending your iPhone to someone else.
• Remember that incognito mode doesn’t make you invisible online. Your ISP and websites can still track you.
• Use a VPN alongside incognito mode for an extra layer of privacy.
• Don’t forget to log out of any accounts you accessed while in incognito mode.
• Be aware that bookmarks and downloads are still saved even in incognito mode.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does going incognito in safari hide my activity from my isp.

No, incognito mode doesn’t hide your activity from your Internet Service Provider. They can still see what you’re doing online.

Can I use incognito mode on a shared iPhone?

Yes, you can, but remember to close all your tabs before handing the phone back to ensure your browsing remains private.

Is incognito mode the same as a VPN?

No, a VPN hides your IP address and encrypts your data, while incognito mode just doesn’t save your browsing history.

Does Safari save my bookmarks and downloads in incognito mode?

Yes, anything you bookmark or download will still be saved on your device.

Can websites track me in incognito mode?

Some tracking can still occur in incognito mode, but it’s significantly reduced.

• Open the Safari app.
• Tap the tabs button.
• Tap “Private” to switch to incognito mode.

There you have it, folks – a simple and straightforward way to keep your browsing on the down-low when using Safari on your iPhone. Whether you’re shopping for a surprise gift, planning a secret getaway, or just value your privacy, going incognito is the way to go. Remember, while it doesn’t make you invisible online, it’s a useful tool for maintaining a cleaner digital footprint. Plus, it’s super easy to activate. So next time you’re about to embark on a browsing adventure, why not go incognito in Safari on your iPhone and surf the web with a little more peace of mind?

Matthew Burleigh has been writing tech tutorials since 2008. His writing has appeared on dozens of different websites and been read over 50 million times.

After receiving his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Computer Science he spent several years working in IT management for small businesses. However, he now works full time writing content online and creating websites.

His main writing topics include iPhones, Microsoft Office, Google Apps, Android, and Photoshop, but he has also written about many other tech topics as well.

Read his full bio here.

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How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari and Opera

Incognito mode doesn't block or mask your IP address but it does prevent a browser from recording session data

In This Article

Jump to a Section

• Turn on Incognito Mode in Google Chrome
• Use InPrivate Browsing in MS Edge
• Turn on Private Browsing in Firefox
• Enter Incognito Browsing in Apple Safari
• Open a Private Window in Opera
• Frequently Asked Questions

This article explains how to turn on incognito mode for private browsing in the five most popular browsers.

Incognito mode prevents a browser from recording session data but it doesn't block or mask your IP address. To do that, you need to use a VPN, a proxy server, or the Tor Browser.

How to Turn on Incognito Mode in Google Chrome

While surfing the web incognito in Google Chrome, the browser doesn't save your history or other private data. To open a private browsing session in Chrome, follow these steps:

Select the Chrome Menu (three vertical dots) from the upper-right corner and then select New Incognito Window .

Alternatively, from the Chrome menu, select File > New Incognito Window . Or, press Ctrl + Shift + N (Windows) or Command + Shift + N (Mac).

A window opens, explaining the Chrome Incognito mode.

To open a link in an Incognito window, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac), and then select  Open Link in Incognito Window .

To exit Incognito mode, close the browser window or tabs.

To activate Chrome Incognito Mode on an iOS device , tap Menu > New Incognito Tab . On an Android device, tap More > New Incognito Tab .

How to Use InPrivate Browsing in Microsoft Edge

The Microsoft Edge browser in Windows 10 allows incognito browsing through the InPrivate Browsing function.

Open the Edge browser and select the More Actions menu (three dots).

Select New InPrivate Window .

On a Windows computer, use the Ctrl + Shift + P keyboard shortcut to enter an InPrivate Browsing window quickly.

A window opens, explaining the Edge InPrivate Browsing mode.

To open a link in the Edge InPrivate Browsing mode, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac) and select Open in InPrivate Window .

To enter InPrivate Browsing mode in Edge on an iOS or Android device, select the Tabs icon and then tap InPrivate .

How to Turn on Private Browsing in Firefox

Incognito browsing in Mozilla Firefox is called Private Browsing mode. Here's how to activate the feature:

Select the Firefox Menu (three vertical lines), and then choose New Private Window .

A Firefox private browsing window opens.

To quickly open a Firefox Private Browsing window, press Shift + Command + P on a Mac or Control + Shift + P on a Windows PC.

To open a link in Private Browsing mode, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac), then choose Open Link in New Private Window .

To enter Firefox Private Browsing mode on an iOS device, tap the Tabs icon at the bottom of the screen, and then tap the Mask icon. On an Android device, tap the Mask icon at the top of the screen.

How to Enter Incognito Browsing in Apple Safari

Safari is the default browser for macOS. Here's how to enter the Safari Private Browsing mode:

Open Safari on a Mac.

From the menu bar, select File > New Private Window .

Press Shift + Command + N to quickly open a private browsing window.

A window opens with a darker search bar and a message that Private Browsing is enabled.

To open a link in a private window in Safari on a Mac, hold the Option key and right-click the link (or hold the Control and Option keys and select the link), then choose Open Link in New Private Window .

How to Open a Private Window in Opera

The Opera web browser's incognito mode is called Private mode. Here's how it works:

Open Opera on a PC or Mac.

To quickly open a private window in Opera, press Ctrl + Shift + N on a Windows PC or Command + Shift + N on a Mac.

A window that explains Opera's Private mode appears.

To open a link in Private mode in Opera, right-click it (or press Control + Click on a Mac) and select Open in New Private Window .

To enter Private mode in the Opera iOS mobile browser, tap the More (three horizontal lines) menu and select Private Mode .

Private browsing prevents other users from seeing your internet history. It also blocks websites from tracking your online activity with cookies . Therefore, you're unlikely to see online ads related to websites you visit during private browsing sessions.

You can lock apps on Android with your device's security code or use a third-party app. You can also set up Android parental controls to childproof your device.

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Ask App Sliced > Mac

How Do I Turn On Incognito Mode In Safari?

How do I browse the web in incognito from Safari?

- Asked by Rick K. December 26th, 2013 (Updated: December 21st, 2020 )

Safari for Mac's version of Google Chrome incognito mode is called Private Browsing . This prevents Safari from remembering your page visit history, cookies, or autofill information. To get started with Private Browsing, go to File > New Private Window . Close the window when you are done to exist Private Browsing mode.

For older Macs using OS X Mavericks (10.9) or earlier , launch Safari and go from the Safari menu to Private Browsing. When you're done, go back to Safari > Private Browsing to disable it. Note that you cannot have windows open simultaneously with Private Browsing enabled and disabled. This is only available in newer versions of Safari.

Again, the main benefit when using Incognito Mode in Google Chrome or Private Mode in Safari is that your browsing and search history will automatically deleted at the end of the session. Cookies are also removed at the end of the session.

Private Browsing is also available for iOS. In Safari for iOS , you can switch to Private by pressing the "Private" button on the "new tab" screen. If you're not sure how to get to the "new tab" screen, tap the icon that looks like two squares stacked on another. It can be found at the bottom left corner of the screen in Safari for iPhone and the top right corner in Safari for iPad.

Alternatively, there is a shortcut in iOS to open a new Private tab. Tap and hold on the Tabs icon (again, the one that looks like two squares) and a menu will appear that includes an option for New Private Tab.

You can also use this same menu to close a single tab or close every tab you have open. The Close All Tabs option is especially useful for Safari users that have accumulated tens or hundreds tabs.

And be aware that despite the benefits of private browsing, your internet service provider (ISP) or any nefarious actors can still spy on online activities, so it's not completely secure. For truly anonymous web browsing, try using a VPN service like Private Internet Access or ExpressVPN.

Filed Under: Safari , OS X Mavericks , Private Browsing

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Browsen in de incognitomodus

• Open Chrome op je computer.

Je kunt ook een sneltoets gebruiken om een incognitovenster te openen:

• Windows, Linux of Chrome OS: druk op Ctrl + Shift + n .
• Mac: druk op ⌘ + Shift + n .

Je kunt wisselen tussen incognitovensters en gewone Chrome-vensters. Je browst alleen privé als je een incognitovenster gebruikt.

Je kunt er ook voor kiezen cookies van derden te blokkeren als je een nieuw incognitovenster opent. Meer informatie over cookies

Incognitomodus sluiten

Als je een incognitovenster hebt geopend en dan nog een incognitovenster opent, gaat je sessie voor privé browsen verder in het nieuwe venster. Als je de incognitomodus wilt afsluiten, sluit je alle incognitovensters.

Als er rechtsboven een getal naast het incognito-icoon staat, heb je meerdere incognitovensters geopend. Zo sluit je een incognitovenster:

• Ga op je computer naar het incognitovenster.

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Privacy & Kids

The incognito myth: how private browsing really works

How to use private browsing mode, what it doesn’t protect against, and why Google is deleting five billion dollars’ worth of user data.

Stan Kaminsky

June 5, 2024

Ask anyone how to protect your privacy online, and they’ll probably mention private browsing. Every major browser has it, although the names differ: it’s Incognito in Chrome, InPrivate in Edge, Private Window/Tab in Firefox, and Private Browsing in Safari. All these names evoke a sense of security — even invisibility: like you could browse the web safely and in full anonymity. Alas, this mode is far from being “incognito” in reality, although it is still helpful if you understand how it works and supplement it with anti-surveillance security .

How incognito mode works

In private mode, your browser doesn’t save your browsing history, remember information you enter in web forms, or store the graphics and code of the websites you visit in its cache. The tiny text files called cookies in which websites save your settings and preferences are only stored for as long as the private window stays open, and are deleted when you close it. This way, no traces of your browsing activity are left on your computer .

However, your actions are still visible from the outside. The websites you visit , your browser itself, browser extensions , your ISP, the office or school system administrator, and various advertising and analytics systems — such as those owned by Google — can all still track you.

Some browsers, such as Firefox, include additional privacy measures in private mode. These may include disabling browser extensions and blocking known analytics sites that track users and third-party cookies that weren’t set by the website you’re opening. However, even this doesn’t guarantee complete invisibility.

Five billion’s worth of incognito data

To get an idea of how much information can be collected about incognito users, look no further than the Brown v. Google lawsuit, which ended in the internet giant’s defeat. The company was ordered to destroy “billions of data records” pertaining to the activities of users who were browsing in incognito mode, and collected up until the end of 2023. Data that won’t be deleted immediately must be further de-identified, for example by removing part of each user’s IP address from the records. The court estimated the monetary value of the data to be deleted plus the data that will no longer be collected at a staggering $5 billion. However, affected plaintiffs will have to seek monetary compensation individually, so Google isn’t likely to lose much money.

More significantly for all users though, Google was ordered to start blocking third-party cookies in Incognito mode and generally provide a clearer description of how Incognito works. While Google’s methods for collecting information in Incognito mode weren’t fully disclosed to the public during the legal proceedings, some of the techniques were mentioned publicly: gathering data through Google Analytics, recording IP addresses, and collecting HTTP header data.

None of the above is news or a secret: any website on the internet can collect and use the same data, and this data gets sent out in private mode just fine.

How websites track incognito visitors

By login. If you enter your email, phone number or username, and password on a website, your browser configuration no longer matters: you’ve announced your identity to the website.

Cookies. Although the website can’t read “regular” cookies from your browser as long as it’s running in private mode, it can still set new ones. If you use a private browsing window day in, day out, without closing it, there’ll be plenty of information gathered about your movements around the web.

The IP address. Private browsing doesn’t hide your IP address in any way.

Digital fingerprinting. By combining information transmitted from your browser in HTTP headers with data that the webpage can collect with JavaScript (such as screen resolution, battery level for mobile devices, and the list of installed fonts), the website can generate a digital fingerprint for the specific browser on the specific device and use that later to identify you. Private browsing mode has no effect on this.

All of the above. Advanced analytics and tracking systems try to use a number of techniques to track you. Even if old cookies are unavailable due to private browsing, you can be remembered with an auxiliary method, such as digital fingerprinting. This means that even if you visit an online store in a private browsing mode without logging in, you might still see products you were interested in during previous sessions in your search history.

What you should and shouldn’t do in private browsing mode

😍 Search for a birthday present for a family member. Private mode will come in handy, as the keywords that could spoil the surprise won’t come up in the browsing and search history. It also will reduce the likelihood of the context ads that permeate today’s web, giving away your plan with banners about the subject. However, private mode will be of no help if you sign in to your account at the online store or marketplace and make a purchase, as the website will remember both you and the purchase. The search history and “recently viewed” items also may display on other devices where you’re logged in to the same account, so there’s still a chance of that surprise getting ruined. To sum it up, logging in to any account is a bad idea when browsing in private mode.

🤔 Look for a new job or secretly check medical symptoms . The computer will retain no traces of the activity, but your ISP will, and so will your office network’s system administrator. This isn’t something you should do at work for example, as you can’t rely on private browsing to help.

😡 Download illegal content. Don’t. And if you do download something like that in private mode, your ISP will still have recorded this activity under your account.

😎 Sign in to your account on someone else’s or a public computer. In this case, private browsing is the least you can do to protect yourself. It prevents you from leaving any undesired traces like an account name, web form data, a saved password, or locally stored cookies or personal files — unless you save something manually. That’s a start, but it doesn’t guarantee complete security: public computers are often infected with malware that can steal any data from the browser, with private browsing or not. So if you have to use someone else’s computer, it’s best to make sure it has reliable malware protection . If you’re not sure, we recommend changing your password for each account that you signed in to on that computer and enabling two-factor authentication after you log off and get back to your usual device.

🧐 Sign in to two accounts with the same site. Most browsers make this possible: you can sign in to one of the accounts in regular mode, and to the other — in private mode. This is about convenience rather than privacy, so private mode doesn’t really have any drawbacks when used this way.

What’s better than private browsing?

Private browsing mode is helpful, and there’s no reason to shun it entirely. For maximum privacy though, it should be combined with other measures:

• An encrypted data channel (VPN)  keeps your ISP and (work) system administrator from tracking your online wanderings, and allows you to change your IP address when visiting websites.
• Tracking and ad blockers reduce the likelihood of your being identified by your digital fingerprint. Every browser supports anti-surveillance extensions, available from the official browser extension marketplace.
• For maximum security in Do Not Track (DNT) mode, turn on Private browsing in Kaspersky Standard , Kaspersky Plus , or Kaspersky Premium .
• For added secrecy, you can set up a separate browser with the most rigorous tracking protection settings, which our guide can help you select.

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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